The recession in the construction industry continues to bite with local construction companies invoicing around 40% less in 2010 than 2009 – itself an extremely bad year.
Planning applications for new private projects are practically non-existent, with many schemes abandoned mid-build (see photo,) whilst the only public works being carried out are smallish projects under the central Government's Plan E or big capital investment works like the new hospital or the expansion of the port.
For one reason or another the main contracts for these giant schemes are going to construction companies based on the mainland who are even bringing in their own sub-contractors, plumbers, electricians and so on.
On a happier note the number of accidents in the work place has dropped by 8% so far this year, though the Balearic Islands still have the highest accident rate – 2,372 accidents per year per 100,000 workers – in all Spain.